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Cycle counter vs inventory control specialist

The differences between cycle counters and inventory control specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inventory control specialist has an average salary of $34,507, which is higher than the $33,083 average annual salary of a cycle counter.

The top three skills for a cycle counter include math, inventory control and pallets. The most important skills for an inventory control specialist are customer service, inventory control procedures, and work ethic.

Cycle counter vs inventory control specialist overview

Cycle CounterInventory Control Specialist
Yearly salary$33,083$34,507
Hourly rate$15.91$16.59
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs10,713107,710
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 31%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a cycle counter do?

A cycle counter is responsible for counting and monitoring product inventories at a warehouse to ensure materials align with the declared lists and documents. Besides their cycle counting responsibilities, they are also in charge of conducting reviews and assessments, utilizing special software to evaluate product inventories, measuring and weighing products, maintaining records, opening and re-packaging shipments, organizing products according to protocols, locating lost goods, and reporting inconsistent or damaged goods. Moreover, a cycle counter may also develop and recommend strategies to enhance inventory procedures, provide assistance to staff, and participate in maintaining work areas clean.

What does an inventory control specialist do?

Inventory control specialist ensures company inventory is accurate in all levels to increase the company's profitability. The specialist should maintain stable stocks and should manage the procurement of inventories. He/She or she is responsible for managing the flow of inventory in and out together with the shipment, package, and the storage activities then record them accurately for audits and reporting to the management. Specialists are often employed by various industries. They usually work in warehouses or in local retail locations.

Cycle counter vs inventory control specialist salary

Cycle counters and inventory control specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cycle CounterInventory Control Specialist
Average salary$33,083$34,507
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $40,000Between $23,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityTracy, CAPhiladelphia, PA
Highest paying stateAlaskaMassachusetts
Best paying companyBDJPMorgan Chase & Co.
Best paying industryProfessionalTechnology

Differences between cycle counter and inventory control specialist education

There are a few differences between a cycle counter and an inventory control specialist in terms of educational background:

Cycle CounterInventory Control Specialist
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 31%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Cycle counter vs inventory control specialist demographics

Here are the differences between cycle counters' and inventory control specialists' demographics:

Cycle CounterInventory Control Specialist
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 58.7% Female, 41.3%Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 6.7% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between cycle counter and inventory control specialist duties and responsibilities

Cycle counter example responsibilities.

  • Manage JDE ERP module for service department of finish goods for sale and field support.
  • Report inventory balances and cycle counts in both the ERP and WMS systems
  • Maintain bakery case including some pastry baking, officiate fast food area, clean, take phone orders, work POS register
  • Cycle counter- monitoring and controlling inventory integrity, responsible for completing physical inventories/cycle count/random or receipt audits/ reconciliations.
  • Solve math problems with calculators, calculator software.
  • Use of AS400 to count inventory in the warehouse.
  • Show more

Inventory control specialist example responsibilities.

  • Generate and manage ammunition records within an oracle database.
  • Participate in material management meetings, offering information on processing of depot support manage items.
  • Train new users on DMLSS, GSA, DOD Emall, and ECAT sites.
  • Load ups and fed ex grind.
  • Research and compiles information to develop the BOM.
  • Produce monthly PowerPoint presentation for management meeting recapping sales highlights of the month.
  • Show more

Cycle counter vs inventory control specialist skills

Common cycle counter skills
  • Math, 14%
  • Inventory Control, 10%
  • Pallets, 10%
  • Inventory Issues, 7%
  • WMS, 4%
  • Inventory Audits, 3%
Common inventory control specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Inventory Control Procedures, 10%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • Sales Floor, 6%
  • Safety Standards, 5%
  • Stock Merchandise, 5%

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